Internet addiction disorder and its associated factors among 15-19-Year adolescents in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is growing as a potentially problematic condition parallel to existing behavioral disorders, especially among adolescents. Nonetheless, the condition is widespread and problematic, limited scientific evidence is available on the prevalence, diagnosis, risk factors, prevention, and efficacy of the treatment globally as well as locally. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Internet addiction disorder among 15-19-year-old adolescents in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was adapted, translated, and validated for this study. A school-based descriptive crosssectional study was conducted among 1,351 school-going adolescents using the multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection and the data analysis was done using the SPSS- 21 version. Initial bivariate analysis was followed up with Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis to determine the associated factors of Internet addiction disorder. The prevalence of Internet addiction disorder among adolescents was 17.2% (95% Confidence Interval, CI: 15.2-19.3). Sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.27-4.07), excessive use of social media (AOR=4.32; 95% CI: 2.12-8.80), lack of engagement in outdoor sports (AOR=5.4;95%CI:2.49-11.73), unemployed mother (AOR=2.06;95% CI:1.40-3.04), excessive engagement of internet gaming (AOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.34-2.82), excessive internet usage time per day for nonacademic activities (AOR=2.59; 95% CI: 1.71-3.91), higher duration of internet use in years (AOR=2.64; 95% CI:1.80-3.85), and no excessive internet use by the parents (AOR=0.46; 95%CI:0.30-0.70) were the statistically significant associated factors. The prevalence of Internet addiction disorder among adolescents was within the range. The findings will aid the policymakers and administrators in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of Internet addiction disorder among this age group of adolescents.